R&H Theatricals has partnered with iTheatrics to release a streamlined, 60-minute adaptation of the popular film-turned-Broadway musical Footloose, which has been specifically tailored for production in schools. Licensed under the Getting to Know… series, the production includes resources for both students and educators, ranging from accompaniment recordings to production guides and instructional choreography videos.
The title's release is timed with the 20th anniversary of Footloose's premiere on Broadway. In celebration, R&H Theatricals has released a featurette with original screenwriter and lyricist Dean Pitchford, who offers insights into the show’s history—from its 1984 screen premiere through its 1998 arrival on Broadway. He is joined by Tony Award nominee Orfeh, an original cast member from the 1998 Broadway premiere.
Pitchford adapted his screenplay for the stage along with director Walter Bobbie. Footloose has music by Tom Snow, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman.
The story of young people coming together to fight for their right to dance, iTheatrics also launched a social media campaign earlier this fall challenging groups across the country to perform their own choreography in a 40-second clip from the show’s finale. The winning schools received a free license to premiere the new school adaptation. The winning schools are Stage Door Productions in Memphis, Tennessee; Edge Dance & Performing Arts Center in Plano, Texas; The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska; and Community of Theatre of Greensboro in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Footloose opened on Broadway in 1998 and ran for over 700 performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
